2 Koreas hold low-level border talks as part of deal that defused August military standoff

SEOUL, South Korea – Officials from the two Koreas are meeting at a border village to try to realize high-level talks as part of their agreements that defused a military standoff in August.

The rivals threatened war against each other last summer over land mine explosions blamed on Pyongyang that maimed two South Korean soldiers. The standoff was eased later in August when the Koreas met for marathon talks and agreed on a set of tension-reduction deals that includes resuming talks between senior officials.

Seoul's Unification Ministry says Thursday's meeting is aimed at discussing when and where those high-level talks should be held with what agenda.

The Koreas said in late August they would hold the high-level talks either in Seoul or Pyongyang in the near future to discuss how to improve ties.